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Strengthening Missouri Families Act

State Representative Warren Love wrote about SB 24 in his May 7, 2015 letter to constituents published May 14 in the Enterprise (p. 3B). He described the law, passed by override of the Governor’s veto, as “legislation meant to reform Missouri’s system of welfare so that it does a better job of moving folks out of poverty and toward self-sufficiency.”

If no compliance, benefits reduced by 50% for maximum ten weeks (sanction)

If sanction, Department representative meets face-to-face with person about sanction and how to restore benefits

Person must work for average of 30 hours per week for one month to restore full benefits

If work requirement not met, benefits end and case closed.

Effective January 1, 2016 – Sections 208.026 and 208.040

Lifetime limit for TANF benefits is 45 months (3 years, 9 months), EXCEPT does not apply to minors and families with hardship exemption

With good cause*, instead of long-term, monthly cash assistance eligible persons can receive:

Lump sum cash grants for short term needs and

Job referrals or referrals to career centers

Lump sum does not count towards lifetime limit.

Maximum amount set at three times family size allowance

Authorized one time in a 12-month period for no more than five times in a lifetime.

Department of Social Services will conduct orientation for new TANF applicants explaining program rules, work requirements and consequences if work requirements are not met. Applicants must sign a participation agreement before case will be opened.

Income of new spouses of TANF recipients will not be counted for six consecutive months, but only once in a recipient’s lifetime.

New applicants must engage in work activities to be eligible for TANF benefits.

*Good cause includes: loss of employment (but not if quit job voluntarily or if fired for cause); catastrophic illness; domestic violence or other emergency that results in family member being unable to meet family’s basic needs.

Changes to SNAP:

Effective January 1, 2016 – Section 208.244.1

Reinstates work requirements for persons to be eligible for benefits under SNAP